Trump Declares War on Cartels: Latin Gangs Now Ranked with ISIS

Paul Riverbank, 2/20/2025Trump administration classifies major Latin American cartels as terrorist groups, sparking international tension with Mexico.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the designation, which includes prominent criminal enterprises such as the Sinaloa Cartel, Jalisco New Generation Cartel and the notorious Tren de Aragua gang. This unprecedented action marks a significant escalation in the U.S. strategy to combat drug trafficking and organized crime along its southern border.

The practical implications of this designation are multifaceted. "The cartels have engaged in a campaign of violence and terror throughout the Western Hemisphere that has not only destabilized countries with significant importance for our national interests but also flooded the United States with deadly drugs, violent criminals and vicious gangs," Trump declared in his executive order.

However, the effectiveness of such designations remains a subject of debate among security experts. As Jesse Kelly pointedly observed, "I think the average American is GREATLY underestimating what it will take to 'take out the cartels.' This will not be Sicario 2. This will be Vietnam."

The FTO designation brings with it a range of legal and financial tools — from asset freezing to enhanced criminal penalties for supporters. Anyone providing "material support" to these organizations now faces up to 20 years in prison, and the designation makes it illegal for Americans to provide any form of assistance, including financial services, lodging or transportation.

Mexico's response has been notably confrontational. President Claudia Sheinbaum rejected what she termed as "slander" against her government, threatening to expand Mexico's lawsuit against U.S. gun manufacturers. "If they declare these criminal groups as terrorists, then we'll have to expand our U.S. lawsuit," she warned.

The designation's practical impact on cartel operations remains uncertain. As Buck Sexton noted, it could become a game of whack-a-mole, with "Too much cash to be made, always someone ready to step in." The cartels' cash-intensive nature and sophisticated money laundering operations may limit the effectiveness of financial sanctions.

Human rights activist François Cavard sees potential benefits, suggesting the designation would "make it clear to the high-level corrupt accomplices these criminals may have within the United States and in U.S. government offices and agencies... that they're going after them also."

The move's timing coincides with broader immigration enforcement efforts, including Trump's invocation of the historical Alien and Sedition Acts — a controversial 1798 law that could potentially allow for expedited deportation of alleged gang members without court hearings.

Recent incidents underscore the urgency of addressing these criminal organizations. The Tren de Aragua gang has already established footholds in U.S. cities, taking over properties in Aurora, Colorado and El Paso, Texas. MS-13's brutality was highlighted in a 2017 Long Island incident where teenagers were murdered in what police described as a "bloodbath" — merely for disrespecting the gang on social media.

As tensions escalate between the U.S. and Mexico, the designation threatens to complicate trade relations, with Mexico warning of retaliatory tariffs that could impact jobs and prices in both nations. The ultimate success of this bold strategy may depend less on the designation itself and more on how effectively it can be leveraged to disrupt these organizations' operations while maintaining crucial international cooperation.

In a sweeping move that signals a dramatic shift in the battle against transnational crime, the Trump administration has officially designated eight major Latin American gangs and drug cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTO) — placing them in the same category as al Qaeda and ISIS.Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the designation, which includes prominent criminal enterprises such as the Sinaloa Cartel, Jalisco New Generation Cartel and the notorious Tren de Aragua gang. This unprecedented action marks a significant escalation in the U.S. strategy to combat drug trafficking and organized crime along its southern border.The practical implications of this designation are multifaceted. "The cartels have engaged in a campaign of violence and terror throughout the Western Hemisphere that has not only destabilized countries with significant importance for our national interests but also flooded the United States with deadly drugs, violent criminals and vicious gangs," Trump declared in his executive order.However, the effectiveness of such designations remains a subject of debate among security experts. As Jesse Kelly pointedly observed, "I think the average American is GREATLY underestimating what it will take to 'take out the cartels.' This will not be Sicario 2. This will be Vietnam."The FTO designation brings with it a range of legal and financial tools — from asset freezing to enhanced criminal penalties for supporters. Anyone providing "material support" to these organizations now faces up to 20 years in prison, and the designation makes it illegal for Americans to provide any form of assistance, including financial services, lodging or transportation.Mexico's response has been notably confrontational. President Claudia Sheinbaum rejected what she termed as "slander" against her government, threatening to expand Mexico's lawsuit against U.S. gun manufacturers. "If they declare these criminal groups as terrorists, then we'll have to expand our U.S. lawsuit," she warned.The designation's practical impact on cartel operations remains uncertain. As Buck Sexton noted, it could become a game of whack-a-mole, with "Too much cash to be made, always someone ready to step in." The cartels' cash-intensive nature and sophisticated money laundering operations may limit the effectiveness of financial sanctions.Human rights activist François Cavard sees potential benefits, suggesting the designation would "make it clear to the high-level corrupt accomplices these criminals may have within the United States and in U.S. government offices and agencies... that they're going after them also."The move's timing coincides with broader immigration enforcement efforts, including Trump's invocation of the historical Alien and Sedition Acts — a controversial 1798 law that could potentially allow for expedited deportation of alleged gang members without court hearings.Recent incidents underscore the urgency of addressing these criminal organizations. The Tren de Aragua gang has already established footholds in U.S. cities, taking over properties in Aurora, Colorado and El Paso, Texas. MS-13's brutality was highlighted in a 2017 Long Island incident where teenagers were murdered in what police described as a "bloodbath" — merely for disrespecting the gang on social media.As tensions escalate between the U.S. and Mexico, the designation threatens to complicate trade relations, with Mexico warning of retaliatory tariffs that could impact jobs and prices in both nations. The ultimate success of this bold strategy may depend less on the designation itself and more on how effectively it can be leveraged to disrupt these organizations' operations while maintaining crucial international cooperation.